MINSK, 8 February (BelTA) – The experience gained at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), which will be running in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina on 10-16 February, will help young Belarusian athletes at the start of their sport career, First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Andrei Astashevich said as he addressed an official farewell ceremony for the Belarusian delegation to the 2019 European Youth Winter Olympic Festival on 8 February, BelTA has learned.
“All the athletes came through qualifying and deserved the right to present Belarus in the international arena. During the festival they will meet athletes from other countries, see their level of training. I hope that the participation in the international forum will help our athletes advance in the elite sport and help them make a good start in their sport career,” Andrei Astashevich said.
Belarus' First Deputy Sport and Tourism Minister Vyacheslav Durnov wished the young athletes good luck and fair play. “Your goal is to show your will to win. The state has invested a lot in you, provided you with best coaches and physicians, the best conditions to train. Now it is time you show results,” he said.
Two-time Olympic medalist in aerials Dmitri Dashinski said he hopes that Belarusian athletes will produce good results at the European festival. “To my regret, I saw only recorded performances of the guys but I hope you are all set and will aim for medals. Young athletes are excited to feel the Olympic atmosphere. The first time is always emotionally charged and will be always remembered. It is with nostalgia that I now recall my first Olympic Games,” Dmitry Dashinksi said.
At the 14th Winter European Youth Olympic Festival 2019 Team Belarus includes 46 athletes in six sports: biathlon, Alpine skiing, cross-country, figure skating, short track and ice hockey.
The Belarusian delegation also includes 22 coaches. Chef de mission is Vasily Yurchik, the head of international relations at the Belarusian National Olympic Committee.
Belarus fielded 43 athletes in six sports at the last Winter European Youth Olympic Festival hosted by Erzurum, Turkey. Belarus won one silver medal (ice hockey).
Over 1600 athletes from 46 European countries will compete in eight sports at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Sarajevo.
